On Dec 21, both Jewish and Muslim activists backed by allies held a “No Hate Groups at 1717 Penn” rally, demanding that the extremist,anti-Muslim Clarion Project be evicted from the building for peddling hate. It is rare to hear of social activists demanding anyone be evicted, but hate groups are an exception to this rule. Tishman Speyer rents space in 1717 Penn Ave to the Clarion Project, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has announced plans to formally designate as a hate group.

During the protest, activists with phones were asked to call Tishman Speyer Regional Manager Paul DeMartini on the spot to demand that Clarion be shown the door. Afterwards, protesters marched to the White House, at times chanting “Trump, Clarion, Ku Klux Klan, take off the sheets and it’s all one man!” At the White House, a Pakistani immigrant spoke on the horrors that decimated her community in New York City after 9-11 under George W Bush. She recounted the panic over Special Registration (NSEERS) and how people who attempted to comply were deported or detained for long periods. She said 70% of her community disappeared in that time period. Now Trump and Clarion want more of these horrors.